Language of Production | Glossary
Here is a PARTIAL list of some of the terms you might hear on a day to day set. It might seem a like a lot but we actually chose these words carefully.
20k Lights - 20 Kilowatt lights used in filming. K refers to the Kelvin scale or temperature of the light. The higher the K the bluer the light looks. The lower the kelvin, the more "yellow" it is. Lower kelvins also tend to have a higher "PAR" rating
30-Day Net - When someone is paid in full in 30 days. Net refers to the terms of payment time.
Above The Line - A term used in production budgeting that refers to certain crew members involved with production management and creative direction, such as Producers, Writers, Directors, and Actors.
Ambient Sound - Audio that is natural to the scene, such as birds chirping or the sound of children playing in the background.
An Hourly - This refers to an hourly rate of pay. Production for shoot days runs from a 10 hour day to a 12 hour day depending upon the production. When working in pre-production the rate is broken down to an hourly for some of the staff, depending upon the role.
Apple Box - A solid wooden box that comes in standard sizes (from largest to smallest): full, half, quarter, pancake.
Assistant Production Office Coordinator (APOC) - Known as the APOC is the assistant to the Production Office Coordinator or POC. They often keep track of all purchase orders, help arrange travel if there's no Travel Coordinator, and are there to pick up the slack for all the POC has to do.
Art Director - The person who works directly with the Production Designer, but also knows how to swing a hammer (not that they’re expected to, but sometimes they do). Typically, they oversee the Art Department.
Associate Producer - This position varies from job to job depending on what is being produced. An associate producer will be brought on to assist the producer in whatever capacity needed, without necessarily dealing with the budget.
Audio Recordist / Sound Recordist / Sound Mixer - This person is in charge of recording sound for the project in the field or studio. They are responsible for the Slate and how it is set up with the camera department for the 2nd Assistant Camera to operate. They are also responsible for placing microphones. They will usually have a small team of people in their department. See Slate and 2nd Assistant Camera (2nd AC).
Avails - Slang for availability for scheduling. What are your avails?
Back to One - A phrase of direction given to actors which asks them to go back to their first position starting point physically and/or with their dialogue.
Back in Time - This is the end of the lunch break using the “last man” time consideration.
Background Extras - Talent who are in the background of a scene. Typically, not a speaking role and sometimes not easily recognizable.
Background Breakdown (BG breakdown) A document containing all of the travel information, report and meal times for a production’s background actors for the day.
Base Camp - The area at or near a shooting location from where the company operates. This is the location where equipment vehicles are parked, along with wardrobe, hair, makeup, crafty, and trailers for talent, producers, and directors.
Below the Line - A term used in production budgeting which refers to crew who are not talent, writers, directors, or production management and typically the majority of the crew, such as DPs, ADs, Audio, Make-up, PAs, etc.
Best Boy Electric - The second in command of the lighting department. They keep the inventory of all the gear on a project and work with the Gaffer to do the DOP’s biddings. Typically, they also handle ordering expendables and the department's time cards. They are the assistant of the lighting department.
Best Boy Grip - Similar to the Best Boy Electric, this person assists with keeping an inventory and track of all the Grip gear, ordering expendables, completing timecards, and backing up the Key Grip.
Bogie - This is someone or something that is not part of the production. This could be anyone who sneaks on set or just a person passing in the background or vehicle.
Boom / Boom Microphone / Boom Mic - A Boom is an extendable, adjustable arm on which a microphone can be affixed. When there’s movement in a scene, the sound is recorded as close to the subjects as possible. A Boom Mic is a good backup for a Lav. See Lavaliere Microphone (Lav).
Boom Operator - The person carrying and positioning the Boom Microphone. This is the person who holds the long pole with a boom microphone and has very strong arm muscles.
Broadcast - To send out or transmit (something, such as a program) by means of radio, television or by streaming over the Internet.
B-Roll - The additional or supplemental footage captured is intercut with the main footage. It typically is used to support or add depth and/or context to the scenes by showing the environment, background action, or other scene embellishments. Ambient or natural sound is also recorded simultaneously. the term B-roll comes from the initial days of film when there was an “A” roll, which was all the speaking parts, and then the “B” roll which covered the action part of the film.
Burger King headset (BK) - This is a reference to the over-the-ear headset for a walkie-talkie.
C-47 - A clothespin, typically used for affixing gels to lights. At times this tool is used to break up the monotony of a boring set by seeing how many C-47’s you can affix to the back of someone’s shirt before they notice. FYI, not a good idea for beginners to do to the seasoned crew.
C-Stand - Metal equipment stand primarily used by the lighting department for positioning light modifiers such as silks, nets, flags, or reflectors. Its proper name is Century Stand.
Call Sheet - A document, usually distributed as a PDF, which provides the overview of a typical shoot day, including client and production company names, talent names, crew names, their positions, and contact info, location, and schedule information.
Call Time - This is the time you are required to be on set ready to work.
Camera Car - A special vehicle customized with mounts to support different equipment and camera(s) used to film moving and driving shots.
Camera Dolly / Dolly - A wheeled cart with a camera mounted on it to create smooth horizontal camera movements.
Camera Operator - This person is the right arm of the DOP. They operate the camera so that the DOP can focus their attention on the next scene coming up.
Camera Prep - Time when the assistant camera person prepares the camera prior to the production day.
Chief Lighting Technician – See Gaffer.
Clapboard – See Slate.
Client List - A list generated by the production company with the names of their clients.
Co-Producers - Two or more Producers who share producing responsibilities on a project.
Comms - Abbreviation for communications. Typically used when referring to walkie-talkies and radio communications equipment. See Walkie-Talkies. Insider lingo.
Company Move - This is when a film crew with all the equipment moves from one location to another.
Comtek - This is a listening device that receives sound from specific microphones on set
Control Room - The technical hub of operations. A room with equipment, serving as a central space where a large physical facility or physically dispersed service can be monitored and controlled.
Costume Designer (CD) - Person responsible for the overall look and custom design of the costumes, wardrobe, and accessories.
Costume Supervisor - Person in charge of all the costumes being sorted and cataloged for each actor and scene. They are also in charge of the budget for the Costume Department.
Craft Services (Crafty*) - This refers to all the non-meal food; the hearty snacks and beverages provided on a set or at a location all day for crew and talent. It also refers to the person or department who provides the service and set up. Crafty can be as small as a single table with a couple of ice chests or as large as several tables, pop-ups, and trailers to cook or keep food warm or cold. Crafty also helps out with the Second Meal or additional meals needed beyond lunch. *Insider Lingo.
Crane – See Jib.
Creative Director (CD) - The person responsible for the overall creative concept on a project.
Crew - People who come together to work on a production for film, television and video projects.
Crew Parking - An area sometimes far from the set where people park their cars when on a film shoot.
Cube Truck / Production Cube - A chassis cab truck with an enclosed cuboid-shaped cargo area. On most box trucks, the cabin is separate from the cargo area, however, some box trucks have a door between the cabin and the cargo area. The difference between a box truck and a van is that the cargo van is a one-piece, while a box truck is created by adding a cargo box to a chassis cab.
DGA - The Directors Guild of America (DGA) was founded in 1936 and is an entertainment guild that represents the interests of film and television directors in the United States motion picture industry and abroad. The Screen Directors Guild merged with the Radio and Television Directors Guild in 1960 to become the Directors Guild of America
Data Wrangler / Digital Loader - The person responsible for organizing and managing the Magazines or Scan Discs on which footage is captured. They also handle the transfer and organization of this data onto hard drives. Sometimes they create files for these transfers so that Editorial can more easily identify what’s being shot. They use a computer and special software for the transfers.
Database Pull - A reference to media being selected for use from a specific film, video, or music library.
Days Out of Days (DOODs) - A document containing a breakdown of all days each principal actor is scheduled to work on a production
Day Player or Performer - This person is hired for only one day or a specific number of days of work.
Day Rate - The amount of pay negotiated for a day of work in a particular position.
Digital Imaging Technician (DIT) - Person responsible for image quality control, on-set color correction, and managing a production workflow. Not all productions have a DIT, but this is the person with an arsenal of toys to tweak the look of the camera in the field. This position is often confused with a Data Wrangler but they are entirely different jobs.
Digital Loader – See Data Wrangler.
Director - This person controls the project's artistic and dramatic aspects, visualizing the script or screenplay while guiding the technical crew and actors. They set the protocol and standards, as well as priorities for the project. Often, it’s their baby.
Director of Photography (DOP) (DP) - The person responsible for the look of the project. They compose the shots and paint with light, so they often work closely with the Gaffer and Key Grip for what is needed. They also supervise camera operators. Sometimes the DOP will also operate the camera.
Director of Lighting (LD) – See Gaffer.
Distro - Or distribution. This is where call sheets, sides, contracts, dressing room signs and other paper work and packages are sent from the production office to set.
Dolly – See Camera Dolly.
Dolly Grip - This is a specialty job that takes coordination and good body movement technique. The Dolly Grip pushes the Dolly and knows how to set it up properly to get the smoothest ride possible for the operator.
Duvetyn – A fabric that has a matte finish and its high opacity makes it ideal for blocking light.
“What Is A Film Production Assistant?“
Executive Creative Director (ECD) - the person in charge of the creative aspect of the entire project.
Electricians - They are the labor crew of the Electric Department. They are responsible for safe handling of power and electrical based equipment and lamps. They handle the lifting and carrying of lighting fixtures, put them onto the stands with the help of the Grips, run power cables and make the power connections. They are the Thirds behind Best Boy in the Lighting Department. See Gaffer.
Estimated Quarterly Taxes - A periodic advance payment of taxes based on your projected income and the estimated tax liability on that income. Check with your accountant, right?
Executive Producer (EP) - The person or entity who oversees the entire project, pays the bills and/or funds the project. Someone who supervises one or more Producers.
Expendables - Accessory items used on a set for lighting, such as color gels, gaffer or spike tape, white board, duvetyn, etc. See Duvetyn.
Featurette - A featurette is a film usually of three reels in length, or about 24–40 minutes in running time, thus longer than a two-reel short subject but shorter than a feature film.
Film Commission - A government or private agency that assists companies in filming in their prospective areas with things such as permits, permissions, police and other logistical requirements.
Film Set - An artificial setting or location for a scene of a theatrical, film or video production.
First Assistant Camera (AC) - This person is in charge of the camera equipment and its operations. They are the closest thing to a technician on the set and are expected to know the camera and how it works. They work closely with the DOP and camera operators. They are generally referred to as the AC.
First Assistant Director (1st AD) - This person is considered a part of the production department. Their job is to make sure that the project is on schedule. They have the tough job of keeping the Director, talent and crew on track and on time. Time is money and that means they’re in charge of keeping the time it takes to do anything, to a minimum. The 1st AD helps the Director with the First Team which are the main actors on set.
First Team - The main actors on set.
FOLEY ARTIST - When “talkies” (motion pictures with synchronized sound) took the film industry by storm in the late 1920s, a new audio art was created by Jack Foley. He was the first to record sound effects and sync them to the film in post-production, creating an entire art of sound design. Foley requires a sound stage to record the special effects, with a collection of peculiar odds and ends kept on hand to recreate everyday sounds. Doors slamming, floors creaking, phones ringing, swords clanking, and papers rustling are all sounds that are recorded through Foley once the film is shot.
Footage - The film, video or digital media which has been shot or recorded.
Footage Capture - The action of filming, taping or digitally recording what the camera shoots.
Football - An accordion type of folder that holds the essential production documents. It travels between the production office and location of sets.
Footprint - The size of a film or video crew, equipment and vehicles.
Form 1099 - Government tax form which reports the various types of income you may have received throughout the year. The person or entity that pays you is responsible for filling out the appropriate 1099 and sending it to you by January 31st of each year. This amount should gel with your billing. For more information: https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1099-misc
Freelance (Freelancer) - Self-employed, working for yourself, not as an employee of a company. Freelance work is paid by the contract with specific start and end dates.
Gaffer / Lighting Director (LD) / Chief Lighting Technician - The person in charge of lighting, working with the DOP to make sure the lighting optimizes the look of the project in every scene.
Generator Operator - This person is an electrician whose focus is to make sure that the generator(s) on the project are gassed up and working safely and correctly.
Gig - A job in the film or video industry. Insider lingo.
Greensman - This is a specialized type of a set dresser who deals with the artistic arrangement or landscape design of plant material. Sometimes real and sometimes artificial and usually a combination of both. Depending upon the number of greens work in a film, the green man may report to the art director or may report to the production designer.
The Greens Department - Every tree, bush, flower and vine you see in a movie (unless the scene was filmed in an exterior location) has been rented or purchased. The member of the film crew who's responsible for renting, replanting, arranging, taking care of, and ultimately returning all these plants is the greensman.
Grips - Grips are the labor of the camera and lighting departments and truly the heavy lifters on the set. They carry cases, load and unload, put up the C-stands, build scaffolding, lay and page cables, carry and place sandbag weights. They assist as needed to accomplish the tasks at hand.
Hair Assistant - A person who assists the Key Hair stylist, who typically styles the hair of actors hired as featured extras or day players.
Hard Book - A hard booking is a confirmed booking, typically with dates and rate of pay negotiated and finalized. If the client cancels a hard booking, the contractor should receive an appropriate percentage as a cancellation fee, often 50-100% with less than a week's notice.
HMI’S - Hydrargyrum medium-arc iodide, or HMI, is the trademark name of Osram's brand of metal-halide gas discharge medium arc-length lamp, made specifically for film and entertainment applications. Hydrargyrum comes from the Latin name for the element mercury. The light temperature is daylight.
Honey Wagon - Slang term referring to fancier porta-potties brought on location for crew and talent; often a multi-room trailer or truck.
Hot Bricks - These are the charged batteries for the walkies or cameras.
IATSE - or the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. IATSE is a labor union representing over 150,000 technicians, artisans, and craftspersons in the entertainment industry, including live theatre, motion picture and television production, and trade shows.
International Movie Data Base (IMDB) - An online data base for any broadcast programming.
Independent Contractor - People who work for themselves or their own company, offering a trade, business or professional services to the general public.
Independent Features - Films that are made without the backing of a large production companies.
Informational Videos - Videos that showcase a product or system for sale.
Into the Works - A phrase of direction for talent meaning to get the talent into wardrobe and makeup immediately.
Invoice - The official document you create to bill your client, the production company or hiring entity, for the services and goods you provided. No invoice, no paycheck.
Jib / Crane – Specialized piece of equipment on which a camera is mounted in order to capture moving, sweeping, high or angled shots.
Key Actors - These are the principal actors on set who are critical to the story.
Key Crew - Members of the production crew who are key and vital to the particular scenes being shot.
Key Grip - This person is in charge of the Grip department. The Key Grip works directly with the Gaffer and the DOP to light the set for shooting.
Key Hair - This person takes the lead styling the hair of the key actors. If there is a Hair Assistant, the Key Hair will oversee their work as well.
Key Makeup - This person takes the lead doing makeup on the key actors. If there is a Makeup Assistant, the Key Makeup will oversee their works as well.
Key Set Production Assistant (PA) - This person is the lead person in the PA world and typically working on set or with talent. While all Set PAs in production have to answer to the ADs, often this person is the one deemed by the ADs to be in charge of all the other PAs. See Production Assistant and Set Production Assistant.
Kit(s) - The tools a person has assembled to help them with their particular job. For instance, a location scouting kit would include a camera and computer. Commonly heard terms are production kit, makeup kit and craft services kit.
Last Man Call - Once lunch is called, the cast and crew lines up to eat. Once the last person gets their food and sits down, whoever's watching the line calls, "Last man!" and the clock stops for 30 minutes.
Lavalier Microphones (Lavs) - Lavs are usually hidden on the body of an actor and can pick up noises such as clothing or jewelry rustle. Lavs are not usually as dynamic as Boom Mics. See Boom.
Lighting Director (LD) – See Gaffer.
Line Producer (LP) - The person is responsible for the daily operations of production. They are on set and the main go to when something is needed. On time and on budget is their goal. This person works directly with the Above the Line Producer(s) and translates what they want or need to the rest of the crew, usually through the Production Manager. Line Producers are the buffer between the Below the Line crew and the Above the Line creatives.
Live Action - A term meaning real life action of people or animals or live moving objects, as opposed to animation or computer-generated effects.
Live Set - A set where cameras are rolling.
Loader – The loader is responsible for loading and unloading all film canisters. They also properly labels all loaded film magazines and cans of exposed film and short ends. They also prepares film for delivery to the lab; and they delivers final film to the production at the end of each day. The loader also provides all the necessary tools and accessories that are associated with performing the job.
Location - The place where production happens and a crew gathers to film a scene or project.
Location Manager - The person who often leads the negotiations to secure a location for filming and is responsible for the locations budget. They make sure that all the required permits and paperwork are submitted, with approvals in place. On production days, they are usually first on site and last to leave, unless they have support from a Location Assistant. If filming is happening in multiple locations on one day, they often advance the next location to make sure everything is ready for the crew's arrival.
Location Manger - The Location Manger is the person who often negotiates for the locations needed or wanted by the production. They make sure that all the permits and paperwork are done and they are responsible for the Locations Budget.
Location Production Assistant (PA) - This person backs up the department and is often in the field. As part of pre-production, they will Paper or Fly a neighborhood in advance to let people and businesses there know that filming will be happening in the area. They assist with watching out for potential problems at locations in advance or during filming. See Production Assistant and Set Production Assistant.
Location Scout - A person who finds different locations for filming, based on directives from the Creative Director or production company.
Lock Down / Lock Up - A system to control a Live Set. When a set is in lock down, people cannot come onto the set until the shot is over and the AD yells, "Cut!"
Look Up Table / LUT - A Look Up Table, or LUT, is a digital file that transforms the color and tone of your image. It can convert colors and details in a source file to a new destination state. For example, you can use a LUT to convert a modern digital photo to the color and tone of an older film stock.
Magazines for Film - A camera magazine is a light-tight chamber or pair of chambers designed to hold and move film stock before and after it has been exposed in the camera. In most movie cameras, the magazine is a removable piece of equipment.
Makeup Assistant - A person who assists the Key Makeup artist, who typically does makeup on the actors hired as featured extras or day players.
Meal Break - Once everyone has worked for six hours, a minimum of 30 minutes must be provided for a Meal Break. The 30 minutes does not start until the last person has been served lunch. See also Last Man.
Meal Penalty - A penalty which occurs on some jobs if the crew is not fed within a certain amount of time. See also Last Man.
Meetup - Online forums that people use to connect for different interests.
Minus Optical Sound (MOS) - Standard filmmaking jargon abbreviation for footage without sound or no synchronous audio track recorded. MOS is an acronym representing a variety of meanings including Mit Out Sound.
Motion Graphics - Moving and impactful animation with text being a major element. Although it's typically two dimensional, it can create the illusion of rotation. Motion Graphics are often combined with audio, music or sound effects.
Multi- Camera - The style of using multiple cameras to film live TV events, sitcoms, award shows.
Net (on a paycheck) - This is the amount you get paid after taxes and social security are taken out.
Net-60 Contract - A contract that allows a company up to sixty days to send payment to employees
Non-deductible Breakfast (NDB)- fifteen-minute morning meal break used to align a castmember’s mid-day lunch break with those of the crewmembers
No-Show - A cast or crewmember who is scheduled to work that day, but is not present
Out Time - The time of day a cast or crewmember ends work
On Camera (OC) - The notation in a script to show when the talent is on camera.
PA Nation - A term used for any group of Film Production Assistants working on a set.
Open Walkie - When someone has left their microphone open on their walkie talkie.
over-the-shoulder (OTS) - This is a camera angle that faces over the shoulder of an actor
P-sticker – This is a sticker used by the Department of Motor Vehicles indicating that a driver is licensed to drive a 15-passenger van.
Paper / Fly - The act of posting signage at a specific location or in a neighborhood alerting people that filming will be happening in the area and when. This step is part of pre-production and occurs after the city or county has granted the required location permit. Insider lingo.
Payroll Job - Being hired as a temporary or permanent employee and put on payroll. This means that appropriate taxes will be deducted from your compensation.
Permit - A location shooting permit is a document typically issued by local, city or federal governments, giving you permission to film in public places.
Petty Cash - Petty cash is a pre-determined amount of cash that a producer will bring on a shoot to buy last minute needs. Often the Production Assistant helps with these purchases, tracking the petty cash and submitting the petty cash recap form.
Petty Cash Recap Form - This is a report listing purchases made with petty cash, showing where the money was spent and for what purpose. Receipts for purchases should be organized and accompany the recap.
Picture Wrap - This is the end of production for the entire project (no more tomorrows)
Pointers - PAs (usually additionals) assigned to point cast and crewmemberstoward a specific location
Playback - A system used to play back the footage just shot on set. Insider lingo.
Production Manager (PM) or Unit Production Manager (UPM) - This person is often responsible for the managing the budget. They manage the hired crew, and often have a say in who is hired, and try to spend as much time on-set as they do in the office. A way to tell who is who is often the Line Producer is on-set while the Production Manager or Unit Production Manager is at the computer.
Production Order (PO’s) - A document used to track purchases in production.
Post Production - After the footage is shot it then goes into Post Production where it is cut together in an edit. Sound, color, effects, music all happen in Post Production.
Posting - Putting up signage for parking or other notifications such as Quiet Please, Filming in Progress or Cameras and Active Filming in Progress on these Premises. Insider lingo.
Pre-Production (Pre-Pro) - This refers to all the planning that happens prior to shooting or the event. From the initial concept and hiring crew to location scouting and prepping equipment. Thorough pre pro really makes the difference between smooth, organized shoot days and chaos.
Principal Actor - An Actor with a speaking role on camera. This specific classification can mean different things depending on the type of production (commercials are different than movies and TV shows) or the contract an actor is working under.
Principal Photography - is the phase of film production in which the bulk of the movie is filmed, with actors on set with the cameras filming and is distinct from pre-production and post-production. Principal photography can be the most expensive part of film production, due to actor, director, and set crew salaries, as well as the costs of certain shots, props, and on set special effects.
Pro Bono - This term refers to working without compensation or at a significantly reduced cost. Often a person does this to support or contribute to a nonprofit organization or cause.
Producer - In general, the Producer is a person who manages many aspects of the production or project. They are typically in a category known as Above the Line, along with Directors, Lead Actors, Writers, and other managerial positions. Besides the basic Producer role, there are also Executive Producers, Co-Producers, Associate Producers, Independent Producers, Line Producers, Music Producers and more.
Production Assistant (PA) - This is an entry level position to the film, video, and television industry. PAs perform all kinds of tasks that seem small but are a critical part of any production. Working in the office, around the set and on location, a PA's duties may include crowd control, running errands, cleaning up locations, driving talent, and playing an important role supporting the Producer. Almost all productions, no matter how small, use PAs.
Production Cube - A truck that hauls production equipment and basically looks like a cube.
Production Designer - This person works directly with the Director and the DOP to create the overall visual design of the film or video. This is a creative role and one that requires the ability to communicate the vision to all departments, so that the desired look and feel is achieved.
Production Manager (PM) / Unit Production Manager (UPM) - This person is responsible for managing the budget and the hired crew. They often have a say in who is hired and what equipment is used. They work closely with the Producer and are typically jumping between being on-set or in the office, making sure that everything runs smoothly during filming.
Production Office Coordinator (POC) - This person helps most with logistics. They arrange for equipment, hotels, vehicle rentals, and generally run the production office on a project.
Production Set - Whether it's on location or in a studio, this is the place where the action happens! The lights glow, the talent performs, the cameras role, and the crew works together on a production.
Project Narrative - A written treatment to define ideas for a project or proposal, including the purpose and objective and a description of how ideas might be executed. This can also refer to the telling of a detailed story, fact or fictional, with the intent of influencing your audiences' emotions.
Prop House - A company that stores and creates a variety of different props, objects, wardrobe pieces and accessories, which can be rented for use on a production. These items support the creative goals, enhance the look and feel of environment and embellish the production design.
Props - Any objects on set during filming, which embellish the scene or are handled by talent to support the scenario. Props could be anything from a lamp to a pitchfork.
Props Master - The person in charge of all the props needed on the set of a production. They work closely with the Set Decorator and the Art Director to help ensure the creative goals of the project.
Props Production Assistant (PA) - This PA is dedicated to the props department. They back up the Assistant Props person as needed. Not every project is big enough to warrant this position.
Pick Up (PU) - This refers to camera or audio recordings. It can be a relatively minor shot filmed after the fact to augment footage already shot or shooting a scene with talent again and picking up where dialog or movement left off on the previous shot. This happens in order to create continuity or capture different camera angles on the same scene or even as a re-take to achieve a better performance. Insider lingo.
Pulling A Permit - Typical phrase referring to the act of applying for and purchasing a permit to film at a specific location.
PYROTECHNICIAN / ARMORER A pyrotechnician is a licensed expert, both on the state and the federal level, who specializes in fire, explosions, and weapons. An armorer is a similar role but tends to focus solely on weapons (armorers typically have a background in law enforcement, the military or have apprenticed under a professional weapons expert.
RAM Board - Heavy cardboard rolls that production will lay down to protect the floors at a location or in a studio.
Rate - The negotiated amount that a client pays for your services or goods. This rate can be paid as a day rate, an hourly rate or a flat fee as a project rate. General rule do not discuss your rate with your fellow crew members unless you’re working a union shop.
Re-enactment - Production which re-enacts or re-creates an historical or past event for educational, documentation or entertainment purposes.
Release Forms - A release form is a legal document that a person who is filmed or documented in some way will sign so that it gives the filmmaker the rights to film them and use that footage in their project.
Rigging - As a noun, rigging is a structural system of equipment on which lights, scenery and contraptions can be hung and manipulated. As a verb, rigging is the action of installing equipment. Riggers are the people who work with rigging. See Specialty Electric Riggers.
Rolling - Refers to when the camera is actually filming or capturing footage.
SAG-AFTRA The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists is an American labor union representing approximately 160,000 film and television actors, journalists, radio personalities, recording artists, singers, voice actors, and other media professionals worldwide - On March 30, 2012, it was announced that the members of AFTRA and of the Screen Actors Guild had voted to merge and form SAG-AFTRA
Schedule A - Day performers. This person is hired for only one day or a specific number of days of work.
Schedule B and C - Schedule B and C are freelance weekly performers.
Script - The written text of a stage play, screenplay, broadcast, or speech.
Script Supervisor - This person is in charge of making sure that the entire script gets shot. They are also focused on tracking the continuity of what's happening within a scene.
2nd Assistant Camera (2nd AC) - This person supports the First AC. They keep track of the lenses, the Magazines (memory cards – we still call them magazines). They Slate the scenes (operate the Slate on set) and keep camera reports. See Slate and Audio Recordist.
Second Assistant Director (2nd AD) - This person writes the call sheets on a feature or TV shoot and keeps the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and crew paperwork for the company on set. They also check in the actors, get them Into The Works, meaning they get them into wardrobe and makeup when they arrive. The 2nd AD will also escort the actors to the set when needed and manage background extras on set.
Second Meal - This is a second meal that is served if the shoot day runs long.
Second Second Assistant Director (2nd 2nd AD) - Yes, this is a job title! This individual supports the 2nd AD and handles background extras and crowds. Sometimes, if there are big enough crowd scenes, there will be several 2nd 2nd ADs on a set.
Self-Employment Tax - A federal tax consisting of Social Security and Medicare taxes primarily paid by individuals who are self-employed.
Set Decorator - This person is in charge of making sure that all the decor on a set is correct, whether that's furniture, props, objects, art or photographs, carpeting, wall color, etc. This person works with the Production Designer and Art Director to ensure that everything requested is in place.
Set Production Assistant (PA) - A PA that is specifically assigned to the set. Tasks could be anything from supporting a specific member of the set (Assistant Director, Talent, or Art Director) or more general tasks like grabbing coffee or waters, holding cables, moving talent in and out of the set, and so much more. See Production Assistant and Key Production Assistant.
The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) - This was an American labor union which represented over 100,000 film and television principal and background performers worldwide. On March 30, 2012, the union leadership announced that the SAG membership voted to merge with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists to create SAG-AFTRA
Shooting Boards - Also known as Storyboards, this is a visual representation of the scenes and shots that a crew will capture during a day of shooting.
Shop Steward - A crew member who has been delegated as the on-set union representative (or mediator).
Shot Order - The order in which shots will be filmed.
Show Black - When you're part of a stage crew, basic black clothing is the common, required uniform. This allows a crew person to disappear into the darkness of backstage or be less obvious on a set. This specific style of dress can mean a black long-sleeved shirt, black pants (no jeans) and black shoes (tennis shoes or boots, no sandals).
Showmance - Starting a romance with a fellow crew member on a set. Don't do it! It's a quick way to commit professional suicide. Insider lingo.
Showrunner - A lead producer, usually credited as executive producer, of a TV or Cable series
Sides - Excerpts of script given to talent, on small-sized handouts, which represent the scenes being shot on a particular day.
Single Camera - The feature film style of shooting with one camera narrative style.
Slate / Clapboard - A tool used to mark both the take and the audio of a take. Also, this references a Clapboard; a small board with a hinged stick attached that is clapped down at the beginning of the filming of a shot for use later in synchronizing sound and image in editing.
Soft Book / Hold - A request to hold time in a person's calendar for work that is not yet confirmed. You may hear, "Pencil it in," meaning it could be erased, the job is tentative.
Sound Mixer – See Audio Recordist.
Sound Recordist – See Audio Recordist.
Sound Stage - A stage specifically designed to be able to record clean audio without ambient sound.
Special Effects - Visual or sound effects introduced into a motion picture, video recording, or taped television production.
Specialty Electric Riggers - When a project calls for rigging, both the Electric Team and the Grip Team are often duplicated by people who know how to put lighting and grip up into rafters or truss. They may be used to set up lighting the night before a shoot because of weather or locations. Overnight rigging happens in big movie sets so that the set is ready for early morning shots. See Rigging.
Stand-in - A person who “stands in” in front of the camera for focus and lighting for the talent until they arrive.
Start Paperwork - The paperwork most crew members fill out before they start a job. Sometimes can include a tax ID, a W9, or a deal memorandum.
Steadicam - A brand of camera stabilizer mounts for film and video cameras invented by Garrett Brown and introduced in 1975 by Cinema Products Corporation. It mechanically isolates the operator's movement, allowing for a smooth shot, even when the camera moves over an irregular surface, whether handheld or on a camera dolly.
Steadicam Camera Op / Steadicam Op - A person who operates a Steadicam.
Studio - A room where the light can be controlled and the sound is acceptable for filming.
Taillights - The term used to let others know when the production is finished for the day, the equipment is packed, and everyone is in their cars, driving away (and their taillights can be seen). Insider lingo.
Talent - An actor and or animal who performs in front of a camera.
Teamsters - A labor union founded in 1903. They are truck drivers and members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Its mission is to organize and educate workers towards a higher standard of living.
Television Truck / Television Broadcast Truck - Large trucks specifically built with studios and equipment to broadcast events.
Time Card - This is a document listing the weekly work hours of a single crewmember.
Time Sheet- This is a document listing the daily work hours of all crewmembers in each department
Tone Meeting - A group discussion, that can involve the producer(s), director(s) and AD(s). This type of meeting is about the tone of a TV show episode and the implications it may have on the production.
